Which Rewards Credit Card Is Best?

[questions]

I am interested in getting a rewards credit card for myself and I am just wondering which one shall I choose that will benefit me the most in the long run.

I don't really care about interest rates as I am good with paying it in full every month. I am looking for something that has no annual fee and earns points to be redeemed for travel, entertainment etc.

I am looking into the following and if someone has any recommendations or suggestions please throw them at me! thanks...

- Blue from American Express
- Citi Diamond Preferred Rewards Card
- Chase Flexible RewardsSM Platinum Visa Card

Thanks in advance!
Nancy

[JoyJoy]

Re: Which Rewards Credit Card Is Best?

We have the American Express Preferred Gold Rewards card. We pay our balance in full each month on that card too. We earned enough points to receive a $100.00 Amex gift card and now we're acquiring points to use towards a cruise in Jan., 2007. Very pleased!

[enabler]

Re: Which Rewards Credit Card Is Best?

Amex Blue has free enrollment in Rewards Options. It's basically the Amex Rewards program limited to one point per dollar - no double points at all, but of course there's no annual fee. Points earned take a couple months to post. You can earn more points by shopping through their portal and booking travel through them (which looks built on Travelocity's platform, if memory serves me correctly).
Blue doesn't have the perks of a Gold card, but does have Cool Blue Offers, and access to the Wish List promotions American Express runs each holiday season.
You can pay on your balance for free through their website at any time.
Interest is 0% for the first 6, 12 or 15 months depending on your credit.

https://www124.americanexpress.com/cards/loyalty.do?page=blue.benefits

[34saving]

Re: Which Rewards Credit Card Is Best?

I have a Citi card and a Chase card (both with 5x points on drug stores, grocery stores, and gas stations). I like the Chase card better because the points can be redeemed for cash! (I think right now they're running $100 bonus just to sign up too.) However, travel and entertainment don't rank very high in my world, so maybe you can get a card that better focuses on those things. Neither the Citi card or the Chase card are going to give you much of a bonus for getting travel/entertainment gift certificates.

[dealsaver]

Re: Which Rewards Credit Card Is Best?

I think we should have all of them. 5% Cash Reward Cards . Someone has done the work for us already.

[Ima saver]

Re: Which Rewards Credit Card Is Best?

We have american express which gives us 1% back. My husband buys his building materials with it, and we have over $400 accruded to be paid back to our account this summer.

[jmjj215]

Re: Which Rewards Credit Card Is Best?

We throw everything on our Wells Fargo 1% cashback card. About a year and a half ago I wanted to get the citi 5% cashback deal but they said I needed to carry a balance somewhere to qualify (I didn't have a CC prior to that, so no balance). So I went w/ WF. We just cashed in some cashback money - $120 - which almost covers our groceries for a month!

[sweeps]

Re: Which Rewards Credit Card Is Best?

I agree that the 5% cash back cards are ideal. Plus occasionally the cards give you the 5% deal at places other than grocery stores, drugstores and gas stations. For example, the Citibank Dividend Rewards card gave us 5% at all department stores for November and December.

For other purchases consider the MBNA/Fidelity cards. 2% of purchases can go to a Fidelity 529 plan or 1.5% of purchases can go to a general Fidelity account.

[jmjj215]

Re: Which Rewards Credit Card Is Best?

For other purchases consider the MBNA/Fidelity cards. 2% of purchases can go to a Fidelity 529 plan or 1.5% of purchases can go to a general Fidelity account.

That sounds pretty cool too. I just don't like the idea of having multiple credit cards - as I hate adminstrating with my money.

[flash]

Re: Which Rewards Credit Card Is Best?

For CASHBACK rewards, the AmEx 5% and the Citi 5% cards are good. Note, this is the Citi DIVIDEND card, not the Rewards card.

For travel, AmEx has a card that gives you 3% cashback on travel, and 1% on everything else.

If you really prefer the reward cards, Citi, AmEx, and BofA all have cards that accumulate points per dollar at a higher yield than the cash cards, so you earn the rewards faster. But, you have to select from a catalog, etc.

B of A has one specifically for getting travel, cruises, etc., as rewards.

[AntiCost]

Re: Which Rewards Credit Card Is Best?

Amex Blue; love it. They automatically credit your cash-back reward to your card every year unlike other companies which make you call in and request a check.

I put all my recurring bills (phone, utilities, cable) on my card to earn even more savings. I pay off my entire balance monthly..

my cashback reward for 2005 was $450.

[ChillPhatCat]

Re: Which Rewards Credit Card Is Best?

My best is my GM rewards Master Card, I've got over $400 ready for my next car purchase after having the card for 9 months. I plan to buy a new Camaro when they come out in '08. This of course is only good if you plan to purchase a GM vehicle... it's 5% of all purchases and 9.99% APR though which is pretty good and a lot of cars will accept $2k worth in points towards the purchase price.